Fence-lock



(No Model.)

J. 11. ALBERT.

FENCE LOOK.

atented May 26, 1885.

u. PETERS. Photo-Lithograph UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. ALBERT, OF PROSPECT, PENNSYLVANIA.

FENCE-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,440, dated May 26,1885.

Application filed June 4, 1884. (No modeLl To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN D. ALBERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Prospect, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in fence-locks; and it consists in the combination of two vertical stakes, which are applied upon opposite sides of corners of the fence. and a wire, or its equivalent, which is fastened to one of the stakes, then passed through be tween the rails around the other stake, then back between the rails, and which then has its upper end fastened to a top rail, so that when this rail is placed in position it serves to lock the stakes and other rails tightly in place, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide those corners of the fence to which the lock is applied with vertical stakes or posts, to which, instead of the rails of the fence, the locking-wires are fastened, and which stakes are then bound firmly against opposite sides of the corner of the fence, so as to brace and strengthen it at that point where the rails are loosened for the purpose of being thrown off.

Figures 1 and 2 are side elevations of a fence embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the same.

A represents an ordinary rail fence, and B two stakes which are applied upon opposite sides of corners of the fence, and between which the ends of the rails are made to overlap each other. Secured to one of these stakes is thelocking-wire D, which is fastened to the stake upon one side of the fence, then passed through between the rails, around the stake upon the opposite side, then back through the fence, and has its upper end fastened to the upper rail, as shown. When this upper rail is raised into position, it draws the wire tightly around both of the stakes, so as to bind them against opposite sides of the fence at the same time that the upper rail locks the other rails tightly together.

By fastening the wire to vertical stakes, in-

stead of to one of the lower rails, in the usual manner, the stakes are made to lock the ends of the rails together in such a manner that a person cannot take hold of the end of one of the lower rails and pull it out and thus destroy the lock which has been formed. Another advantage gained is that a less quantity of wire is used where the wire is fastened to the stakes, as here shown, than where the wire is made to pass around the ends of all of the rails, as is otherwise absolutely necessary if a secure lock is to be made. There the wires are fastened directly to the rails but a single lock is formed, but where the wires are fastened to vertical stakes, as is here shown, the ends of the rails are locked together at the same time that the stakes are locked against opposite sides of the fence, for the purpose of preventing the rails from being pulled apart.

I am aware that a wire has been passed down under the overlapping ends of the rails of two panels of a fence and the ends of the wire secured to the two top rails, and this I disclaim.

I am also aware that stakes have been driven into the ground behind the overlapping ends of the rails, and that a short wire, attached at each end to a wedge, has been passed around the stakes, and the wedges then driven in be tween the overlapping ends of the rails, and this I also disclaim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-- I The combination of the rails A, the stakes B, placed upon opposite sides of the fence where the ends of the rails cross each other, and the wire D, which has its lower end fastened to one of the stakes, which is then passed through the fence and wrapped or passed around the other stake, and which wire has its upper end fastened to the top rail of one of the panels for the purpose of tightening it in place, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. ALBERT.

\Vitnesses:

ALEX MITCHELL, WILLIAM J onns. 

